You may have heard about diversionary courses or diversionary driver retraining courses offered by UK authorities as an alternative to prosecution for minor motoring offences. These short educational programs give eligible drivers the chance to avoid penalty points or a criminal record by attending a course instead of receiving a fine. A key question often asked is how much does a diversionary course cost? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand eligibility, pricing, and what to expect.
What Is a Diversionary Course?
A diversionary course formally part of the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) is an educational alternative offered to drivers for eligible offences such as minor speeding, careless driving, or some cycling violations. Instead of accepting a fixed penalty notice and points, a driver may be offered a course designed to change behaviour through awareness and discussion contentReference[oaicite0].
Purpose of the Course
- Encourage safer driving or riding habits.
- Reduce reoffending by educating drivers.
- Avoid penalty points that could affect insurance or lead to disqualification.
Who Qualifies and How It Works
Not every driver is eligible. Permission is granted at the discretion of the police or prosecution authority. Typically, eligibility conditions include
- First offence or no similar NDORS course in the past three years.
- Speed recorded in a low to moderate range above the limit.
- No additional offences in the same incident.
- Valid UK-driving licence. contentReference[oaicite1]
If you’re eligible, you receive a letter offering the course along with instructions for booking and payment. You generally have around 28 days to register contentReference[oaicite2].
How Much Does a Diversionary Course Cost?
Prices vary depending on your location and provider. Since NDORS courses are delivered by licensed but independently run providers, costs can fluctuate. Below are current typical fees
- National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) £80 – £100, most commonly around £98. contentReference[oaicite3]
- National Motorway Awareness Course (NMAC) £78 – £92. contentReference[oaicite4]
- Safe and Considerate Driving (SCD) £120 – £200 for classroom plus practical. contentReference[oaicite5]
- What’s Driving Us? (WDU) £73 – £95. contentReference[oaicite6]
- Safe & Considerate Cycling (SCC) around £38.40. contentReference[oaicite7]
- Your Belt Your Life seatbelt course approx. £54. contentReference[oaicite8]
Some smaller providers such as local authorities may offer courses from as little as £73. For example, Hartlepool Borough Council has been reported to charge such rates. contentReference[oaicite9]
Overall average course fees tend to fall between £80 and £95. This is often comparable to or even less than the fixed penalty you would otherwise pay (£100 for many speeding offences) contentReference[oaicite10].
Course Duration and Format
Typical NDORS courses last between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours, sometimes slightly longer depending on content or breaks. Most allow both classroom and online attendance options contentReference[oaicite11].
Some more intensive courses like Safe & Considerate Driving include practical driving and can last a full day, hence their higher cost contentReference[oaicite12].
Benefits and Trade-offs
- Avoids penalty points on your licence.
- No formal conviction recorded.
- Potentially lower insurance increases versus points.
- Behaviour-change focused, offering long-term safety benefits.
In contrast, accepting a fixed penalty incurs 3-6 points plus a fine, which often raises future insurance costs significantly contentReference[oaicite13].
Booking Process and Payment
If offered a course, you must log in to an NDORS portal using reference and PIN from your letter. You then choose provider, date, and format, and pay online via debit or credit card. Some providers allow payment in cash or installment arrangements contentReference[oaicite14].
You must complete the course within a set period usually up to 12 weeks from the date of offence and fully participate. Failure to do so or disruption may lead to ineligibility and reversion to prosecution. Refunds are rare once booking is confirmed contentReference[oaicite15].
Limitations and Considerations
- Only one diversionary course is permitted within any threeyear period for a driver contentReference[oaicite16].
- Not all police forces offer all types of courses; availability varies regionally contentReference[oaicite17].
- Choosing to appeal the offence removes eligibility for the course; you must pay the fine or face prosecution instead contentReference[oaicite18].
Insurance Impact
Because the course avoids penalty points and a formal conviction, it often doesn’t affect your insurance premium in the same way. However, some insurers may ask if you have attended any driver retraining course and failing to disclose it may invalidate your policy. NDORS participation is recorded by police databases, though not by the DVLA contentReference[oaicite19].
Summary Table
- Eligible offences minor speeding, careless driving, cycling violations.
- Typical course cost £80 – £95.
- Exceptions as low as £73 or as high as £120-200 for specialist courses.
- Duration ~3 hours; some full-day courses include practical driving.
- Benefits no points, no conviction, safer driving habits.
A diversionary course under NDORS provides a cost-effective alternative to prosecution for eligible minor motoring offences. Instead of paying a fine and acquiring penalty points, drivers can attend a short educational session that helps reinforce safer road behaviour. Costs typically range between £80 and £95, depending on location and course type, though some local providers may offer slightly lower or higher fees. The opportunity to avoid points and maintain a clean driving record, combined with the educational value, often makes the course a preferable option. If you receive an offer, weigh the course fee against the potential costs of insurance premium hikes and penalties and respond quickly to secure your place.